Head of Strategic Estates Programmes

Join NPL’s Estates team and help shape the future of our built environment. We’re looking for a strategic leader to drive the delivery of estates programmes that support world-class science and innovation. In this role, you’ll manage a team of colleagues, providing leadership and guidance to ensure successful programme delivery. You’ll report directly to the Head of Estates and work closely with them to support the department, deputising when the need arises.

Our Estates team ensures NPL provides a safe, secure, and sustainable workplace. We focus on maximising the value of our buildings and facilities to support our people, programmes, and long-term goals.

What You’ll Be Doing

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll:

• Lead the delivery of strategic estates programmes, ensuring compliance with CDM, procurement, and public finance regulations.
• Oversee construction and transformation projects using effective delivery models and commercial frameworks.
• Align estates initiatives with organisational priorities and allocate resources for agile, impactful delivery.
• Champion operational excellence, continuous improvement, and robust governance across health, safety, security, and environmental standards.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across government and industry, representing NPL externally.
• Drive the performance and potential of employees, building a highly motivated, customer focused and high performing team.
• Collaborate across teams to foster a unified, inclusive culture and deliver transformation programmes that meet business needs.

You’ll bring a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Bring their experience of programme and portfolio management in critical and complex environments.
• Apply their knowledge and experience of construction and estates contracts and frameworks
• Apply the RIBA Plan of Work in real-world settings.
• Deliver Estates to Government Functional Standards (Including GovS002 and GovS004).
• Develop and implement Strategic Asset Management and Site Master Plans.
• Communicate effectively and think analytically.
• Hold a degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related field.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. 

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview
 
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
 
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
 
We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.